Four post shelving with insertable shelves



Sept. 26, 1967 H. M. BUCHBINDER ETAL 3,343,506

FOUR POST SHELVING WITH INSERTABLE SHELVES Filed June 24, 1966 INVENTORS.

ZenrgAfBDui an enr m r I MM Clays United States Patent Henry M. Buchbinder,

Sycamore, 111., assignors to Ardco, of Illinois Filed June 24, 1966, Ser. No. 560,201 11 Claims. (Cl. 108-107) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shelving system, comprising one or more rectangular shelves, four vertical posts having openings in the rear side thereof, each shelf having a pair of laterally spaced forwardly projecting front prongs rigidly mounted thereon and receivable in the openings in the front pair of posts, and a pair of laterally spaced hooks rigidly mounted on each shelf, and projecting forwardly for reception in the openings in the rear pair of posts, the front prongs being longer than the hooks, the distance between the front end of each front prong and the front end of the corresponding hook being greater than the distance between the rear sides of the front and rear posts whereby the front prongs may be inserted into the openings in the front posts before the hooks are inserted into the openings in the rear posts, and whereby the shelf may be mounted in either a horizontal or an inclined position, rear prongs preferably being provided in vertical alignment with said hooks, said rear prongs being longer than the hooks but shorter than the front prongs, the lower edges of the rear prongs being formed with inc-lined ramps whereby the hooks are guided into the corresponding openings, the ramps affording clearance when the shelf is mounted in an inclined position.

This invention relates to shelving of the general type commonly employed for displaying merchandise in stores or the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shelving system in which each shelf is supported by four posts, for the sake of increased rigidity and strength, and may readily be inserted and removed.

A further object is to provide a new and improved shelving system of the foregoing character in which means are provided to lock each shelf in its position on the posts.

Another object is to provide such a shelving system in which the shelves are adjustable to a variety of positions.

A further object is to provide such a new and improved shelving system in which the shelves interlock with the posts and increase the stability of the posts.

A further object is to provide such an improved shelving system which is easy to manufacture and low in cost.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the shelves for the shelving system to be described as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the shelving system, partly in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation, taken generally as indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

The illustrated shelving system comprises one or more shelves 1!). Although only one shelf is shown, it will be understood that any desired number of shelves may be employed.

Each shelf is supported by four substantially vertical 3,343,555 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 posts or uprights 12. However, each post may be shared by two sets of adjacent shelves. The posts 12 may be supported in any suitable manner. Thus, the posts may be secured at their upper and lower ends to the ceiling and floor of the room, refrigerator case or the like in which the shelving is used.

The illustrated posts 12 are square in cross section and are in the form of hollow tubes with relatively thin walls 14. It will be understood, however, that the cross sectional shape of the posts may be varied. The posts 12 are preferably made of steel or some other suitable metal.

At least one wall 14 of each post 12 is formed with a plurality of slots or holes 16. The illustrated slots 16 are rectangular in shape and are vertically elongated. The slots 16 are preferably provided in pairs and are spaced apart vertically at regular intervals along the length of the post.

The illustrated shelf 1% is of the wire grill type, although other types may also be employed. Thus, the shelf 10 comprises a rectangular border wire or frame 18, which may be made of heavy gauge wire. A large number of smaller cross wires 20 extend between opposite sides of the border wire 18 to form a grill-type structure. The end portions of the cross wires 2% are welded or otherwise secured to the border wire 18. In this case, the cross wires 29 extend between the front and rear sides of the border wire 18.

To engage two of the posts 12, each of the shelves 11) is provided with a pair of laterally spaced prongs or fingers 22 adapted to be inserted into the appropriate slots 16 in the posts 12. The illustrated prongs 22 are in the form of laterally offset portions of bars 24 which are welded or otherwise secured to the outer sides of the border wire 18, adjacent the front of the shelf 11 The illustrated bar 24 is rectangular in cross section but may be round or of some other suitable shape. It will be understood that the prongs 22 may be inserted into any available slots 16 in the posts 12. A retaining slot 25 is preferably provided in the lower edge of each prong 22, to receive the wall of the post 12 at the lower edge of the corresponding slot 16.

Each of the illustrated bars 24 also has a laterally olfset handle portion 26, as well as a rear portion 28 which is welded or otherwise secured to the corresponding side member of the border wire 18. The handle portion 26 extends parallel to the border wire 18 and is spaced laterally therefrom so that the handle may readily be used to :hold or carry the shelf.

The rear portion of the shelf 10 is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting hooks 3%) adapted to be inserted into the appropriate slots 16 in the rear posts 12. In this case, the hooks 36 are formed on brackets or mounting members 32 which are welded or otherwise secured to the rear member of the border wire 18. In addition to the hook 30, each bracket 32 is preferably provided with a forwardly projecting prong 34 which is adapted to be inserted into the appropriate slot 16 in the corresponding post 12. A retaining slot 35 is preferably formed in the lower edge of each prong 34 to receive the wall of the post.

Each of the illustrated brackets 32 has a lower or horizontal leg 36 which is welded or otherwise secured to the border wire 18. A vertical leg 38 projects upwardly from the outer end of the horizontal leg 36 and may be formed integrally therewith. The hook 3t and the prong 34 project forwardly from the vertical leg 38. It will be seen that the hook 3% has a forwardly projecting portion 41} and a downwardly projecting member 42 which extends downwardly from the forwardly projecting portion 40. The lower edge of the prong 34 is preferably formed with a slanting portion or ramp 44 which extends along the front portion thereof. It will be understood that the shape and construction of the bracket 32 may be varied.

The shelving system is assembled by erecting the posts 12 and then inserting the shelves 10. A number of the shelves may be mounted at various vertically spaced intervals on each set of four posts. Several adjacent tiers of shelves may be employed, if desired.

Each shelf 10 is installed or inserted by tilting the shelf slightly so that it may he slipped between the posts 12. The shelf is then returned to a level position, and the front prongs 22 are inserted into the slots 16 at the desired level in the front posts 12. The prongs 34 and the hooks 30 at the rear of the shelf are then inserted into the desired slots 16 in the rear posts 12. After the hooks 30 have been inserted, the rear portion of the shelf is dropped down so that the downwardly projecting portion 42 of the hook 30 extends in front of the rear wall 14 of the rear post 12. The slots 25 and 35 also receive the walls of the posts. In this way, the shelf is locked in position. However, the shelf may readily be removed by lifting it and withdrawing the hooks 3t} and the prongs 22 and 34 rearwardly from the corresponding slots 16.

The prongs 34 .assist in guiding the shelves into their locked positions, and also provide greater stability and strength.

If desired, the shelf 20 may be mounted at a slanting angle between the rear and the front thereof. The slanting portion of the shelf is illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2. As shown, the frontprongs 22 are inserted into a lower set of slots 16 than is the case when it is desired to mount the shelf in a horizontal position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2. The hooks 3! and the prongs 34 are formed of sufficient size and with sufiicient clearance to enable the shelf to be mounted at a slanting angle. The ramp surface 44 on the prong 34 affords extra clearance when the shelf is mounted in a slanting position.

It will be evident that the front prongs 22 and the rear hooks 30 and prongs 34 interlock with the posts. In this way, the stability of the posts is increased.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a shelving system,

the combination comprising at least one shelf of generally rectangular shape,

four vertical posts arranged in a generally rectangular pattern for supporting said shelf,

each of said posts having a plurality of vertically spaced openings in the rear side thereof,

said shelf having a pair of laterally spaced forwardly projecting front prongs rigidly mounted on the front portion of the shelf and receivable in the openings in the front pair of said posts,

and a pair of laterally spaced hooks rigidly mounted on the rear portion of said shelf and projecting forwardly for reception in the openings in the rear pair of said posts each book being provided with a forwardly projecting portion and a downwardly projecting portion for retaining the hook in the corresponding opening. said front prongs being longer from front to rear than a said hooks, the distance between the front end of each front prong and the front end of. the corresponding hook being greater than the distance between the rear sides of the front and rear posts whereby said front prongs may be inserted into the openings in said front posts before said hooks are inserted into the openings in said rear posts,

and whereby said shelf may be mounted on said posts in either a horizontal position or an inclined position.

2. A combination according to claim 1,

in which each hook is formed on a bracket having a generally horizontal leg secured to the shelf and a generally vertical leg formed integrally with said horizontal leg,

said hook projecting forwardly from said vertical leg.

3. A combination according to claim 2,

in which said shelf is formed with a border frame,

and in which the horizontal leg of each bracket is welded to said border frame.

4. A combination according to claim 2, in which said bracket is formed from a bar which is rectangular in cross section.

5. A combination according to claim 1, in which each of said front prongs is formed as a laterally offset member on a bar secured to one edge of said shelf.

6. A combination according to claim 1,

in which said shelf comprises a border frame,

and in which each of said front prongs is formed as a laterally'oifset member on a bar which is welded to one of the outer edges of said border frame.

7. A combination according to claim 1, in which said front prongs are rectangular in cross section.

8. A combination according to claim 1, in which each post is in the form of a hollow tube of generally rectangular cross section.

9. A combination according to claim 1, in which the 7 lower edge of each of said prongs is formed with a slot to interlock with the corresponding post.

10. A combination according to claim 1, including a pair of laterally spaced forwardly projecting rear prongs rigidly mounted on the rear portion of each shelf and vertically aligned with said hooks for reception in the openings in the rear posts, said rear prongs being longer than said hooks but shorter than said front prongs, the lower edges of said rear prongs being formed with inclined ramps, whereby said hooks are guided into the corresponding openings in the rear posts. said ramps affording clearance when the shelf is mounted in an inclined position. 11. A combination according to claim 10, in which the lower edge of each of said rear prongs is formed with slot to interlock with the corresponding post.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 914,572 3/1909 Holden 108109 949,288 2/1910 Stearns 108110 1,376,835 5/1921 Shiek 248-243 1,876,172 9/1932 Ruddy 108l07 2,790,559 4/ 1957 Stephenson 108108 3,080,980 3/1963 Gibbons 248-242 3,089,675 5/1963 Lozier 248-242 3,120,200 2/1964 Travis 21l-148 3,122,238 2/1964 Brunette 211-126 3,130,693 4/1964 Shell 248-242 3,248,079 4/ 1966 Kennedy 211-148 FOREIGN PATENTS 937,006 12/1955 Germany.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SHELVING SYSTEM, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SHELF OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE, FOUR VERTICAL POSTS ARRANGED IN A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PATTERN FOR SUPPORTING SAID SHELF, EACH OF SAID POSTS HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED OPENINGS IN THE REAR SIDE THEREOF, SAID SHELF HAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED FORWARDLY PROJECTING FRONT PRONGS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE FRONT PORTION OF THE SHELF AND RECEIVABLE IN THE OPENINGS IN THE FRONT PAIR OF SAID POSTS, AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED HOOKS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE REAR PORTION OF SAID SHELF AND PROJECTING FORWARDLY FOR RECEPTION IN THE OPENINGS IN THE REAR PAIR OF SAID POSTS EACH HOOK BEING PROVIDED WITH A FORWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION AND A DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION FOR RETAINING THE HOOK IN THE CORRESPONDING OPENING. SAID FRONT PRONGS BEING LONGER FROM FRONT TO REAR THAN SAID HOOKS, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT END OF EACH FRONT PRONG AND THE FRONT END OF THE CORRESPONDING HOOK BEING GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE REAR SIDES OF THE FRONT AND REAR POSTS WHEREBY SAID FRONT PRONGS MAY BE INSERTED INTO THE OPENINGS IN SAID FRONT POSTS BEFORE SAID HOOKS ARE INSERTED INTO THE OPENINGS IN SAID REAR POSTS, AND WHEREBY SAID SHELF MAY BE MOUNTED ON SAID POSTS IN EITHER A HORIZONTAL POSITION OR AN INCLINED POSITION. 